My head is still buzzing with the excitement of it all. Super Megafest! All things comics, collectibles, movies, and ... famous people.
As I entered the hallway with a few of the dealers, I started to quake and tremble all over. Was I really there? Somebody pinch me! My first convention and suddenly, even though I blended into the crowd of Star Wars (among other movies) fans, I felt like a complete fool.
I saw people getting their picture taken with the New England Garrison of the 501st Legion. Maybe I would do that later. My real aim was to see the people from Alderaan Base of the Rebel Legion. I stopped there first, asked a few questions, and left to go wander around in bliss as I stopped at vendors and asked more questions.
I'd have to say that the highlight of the day to though was meeting ... dare I say it? BILLY DEE WILLIAMS! Yes, you heard me correctly. I met Billy Dee Williams, and got his autograph to boot!
As I got up to the stage, I noticed he was wearing dark glasses. When I talked to him, I was surprised at how flustered I was. I complimented him and stuff and noticed that he seemed tired. Tired of all this attention, (and probably tired of signing stuff, as he might have gotten some hand cramps), and tired of people being flustered, as was I. After all, he is human. An actor, not a god. He politely asked my name and wrote it down on the photo I had picked out. I shook his hand and thanked him and he said "Happy Holidays."
I said, "You, too."
Another amazing thing that happened was that people complimented my costume. (I went as my character Orillia Darkstar from my fanfiction A Puddle In The Dust.) Some people thought I was Luke (as I had his Bespin fatigues on) so I had to explain who I was.
Someone even took a picture of me with them!
I met a guy who was Bespin Luke at the 501st Legion table. He really looked like him! He had icy blue eyes, and the ripped up jacket, the "sweaty" undershirt, the blaster, the lightsaber hilt, and the boots. He was adorable! When I said something to someone I was with, he turned around and jumped back about two feet!
"Whoa!" he exclaimed.
"No!" I said, "I'm not you! I'm actually..." And I proceeded to tell him about my character.
As his boots were too small for him, as he said, he was intrigued with the way I made my boots; I explained how I built them up from ordinary boots to Bespin boots!
I was waiting at the 501st table for my picture that I had taken with Darth Vader and a stormtrooper.
During the picture, I had the stormtrooper present me to Vader with my hands behind my back.
"You are a traitor and a member of the Rebel Alliance," Vader said, pointing an accusing finger at me.
I just stood with my hands behind me and a look of shock frozen on my face.
Earlier, before the picture people came back from break, I had said to this same Vader, "Darth Vader...Only you could be so bold..."
"Rebel scum!" he breathed, Force-choking me. My hands immediately went to my throat, playing along.
Oy! What a day!
When all was said and done (and oh yeah, after I got a rare Sideshow Collectibles Luke Jedi) I went to my car and drove home happy and still quaking.
My mind still buzzes and reels with thoughts of the day's events. Meeting a famous person, meeting other fans, meeting with the Rebel Legion, and meeting some guy that works where my dad works who was running a raffle. I entered six tickets into that raffle. I sure hope I win. If I do, I'll let you know.
But the excitement and crowds! Both physically and emotionally draining...
But aaah... to have gone to my first convention EVER! I was very much feeling alive and very much in love with the Star Wars atmosphere...
By the way, I hardly saw any Star Trek people there. I guess that proves that extreme Trekkies are geeks and extreme Star Wars fans are cool!
Star Wars rules! Star Trek drools!
I apologize to anyone out there who likes both Star Wars and Star Trek. It's just my opinion that Trekkies are geeky.
Anyway, I guess that's all I have to say. Let me know if you were there or wanted to go, or have experienced something similar to the buzz I'm getting just thinking about my own experience.
I can't stop thinking about it! It was soooo cool! Right now I sound like a dorky teenager with pimples and a lisp, but I assure you, I am 21 and completely sane. Ha ha!

May the Force be with us all,
Orillia Darkstar